CVE-2014-4402 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
An unspecified IOAcceleratorFamily function in Apple OS X before 10.9.5 lacks proper bounds checking on read operations, which allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context via a crafted application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4402 resides within the IOAcceleratorFamily component of Apple's macOS operating system, affecting versions prior to 10.9.5. This issue represents a critical security flaw that demonstrates the dangers of insufficient input validation in kernel-level components. The IOAcceleratorFamily serves as a crucial interface for graphics acceleration and hardware acceleration operations, making it a prime target for privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking mechanisms that fail to validate the size and boundaries of data read operations, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors.
The technical nature of this flaw places it squarely within the realm of buffer overread vulnerabilities, which are categorized under CWE-129 in the Common Weakness Enumeration system. This type of vulnerability occurs when a program reads data from memory locations beyond the bounds of a buffer, potentially exposing sensitive information or allowing arbitrary code execution. In the context of kernel-level functions, such flaws can be particularly devastating as they provide attackers with elevated privileges and direct access to system resources. The lack of proper bounds checking in the IOAcceleratorFamily function means that malicious applications can craft specially designed inputs that cause the kernel to read beyond allocated memory boundaries, potentially leading to information disclosure or code execution in a privileged context.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4402 extends far beyond simple data corruption or application crashes. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain root-level privileges on affected systems, effectively bypassing the operating system's security model and gaining unrestricted access to all system resources. This privilege escalation capability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation tactic, specifically targeting kernel-level vulnerabilities as a means to achieve persistent system control. The vulnerability's exploitation requires a crafted application that can trigger the vulnerable code path, making it particularly insidious as it can be delivered through seemingly legitimate software or social engineering campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability focus on immediate system updates and patch management, as Apple released OS X 10.9.5 to address the specific bounds checking deficiencies in the IOAcceleratorFamily. Organizations should prioritize patch deployment across all affected systems and implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious kernel-level activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of kernel code review practices and the application of defensive programming techniques such as bounds checking, input validation, and memory safety mechanisms. Security professionals should consider implementing additional controls including kernel extension whitelisting, system integrity protection measures, and regular security assessments of kernel-level components to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.